3rd Annual Tampa Bay Heli Classic-Zephyrhills, FL

[ErichF]

AMA/FAI Contest and Funfly

March 7-9 2008

Can-Am Flyers hosting (http://www.can-amflyers.com/index.html)

Again, this will be a multi-discipline event. Two, back to back flightlines will be operated. The FAI contest will be conducted on the north flightline, and the 3D/Sport funfly will be held on the South flightline. We may possibly have another, separate area for Scale flyers, as well.

Landing fee for the funfly is only $15, and for the FAI contest is $25. This includes the entire weekend.

Camping on field is permitted starting Friday. Flying will be started on Friday for the funfly line. The Contest starts 0900 Saturday morning, with practice flying starting friday morning.

Pilot's meeting will be Saturday 0830.

Radio impound will be strictly enforced. Due to the unique nature of two flightlines, and to ensure the steady flow of the contest, we will be requesting contest frequencies in advance of the contestant's flight slot. Based on how it worked last year (no real issues), we will not be requiring specific frequencies for either line. However, we do ask that you work with us regarding conflicts between contest and fun fly frequencies. On that note, Spread Spectrum is highly encouraged. SS radios will not be impounded, and all current systems are welcome.

I'm looking into having saturday lunch catered by Sonny's BBQ.

Local hotel info to come. I will most likely block off some rooms at the Comfort Inn at the Hwy54/I-75 Interchange.

Contest info can be found below:

AMA classes 1,2,3 (http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/rulebooks/RC%20Helicopter.pdf) and FAI F3C Schedules A & C (ftp://www.fai.org/sporting_code/sc4/sc4.f3c.07.Rev1.zip)

Also soliciting for experienced judges, please PM if interested. IMAC & Pattern judges welcome, will train.

More to come.

Pics from last year's contest (http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=178415523/a=106832867_106832867/t_=106832867)


Erich

[ErichF]

Fresh from Google (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=Hotels&near=Wesley+Chapel,+FL&fb=1&view=map&cd=1&hl=en)

Hotels A, B, and C are the better, closest options.

[Brett Horton]

I think myself and a buddy might come to this!?
Still on?

[ErichF]

Oh you betchya. Most of the top F3C pilots in the country attend this event. Already confirmed are Wayne Mann, Dwight Shilling, and Cliff Hiatt, three of the four US team members.

Also, remember this is a multi-discipline event for AMA/FAI as well as Open, non-rulebook funfly. So, compete or not, this event will be fun for anyone.

I will be submitting the sanction application shortly.

Hope you can make it! I read about your most recent acquisition of a Sylphide...excellent!

Cheers,

[Brett Horton]

Awesome, we will plan on being there for sure, Tampa is not that far a drive.

[Mike Fortin]

Last year was a great time, I wish more people stayed on Sunday for the 3D side of the event but perhaps that will change this year.

[ErichF]

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=36127&d=1200880827Here's the Flyer for those interested:

[ErichF]

Ron just sent me a $50 gift certificate, which I will award to the winner of AMA Class I.

Thanks very much for the support, Ron! Everyone please return the favor to Ron...

Cheers,

[ErichF]

Smoked BBQ Catered

Great news, no burned burgers or hot dogs here...

I secured a local mobile smoke house outfit to come and serve Smoked BBQ for the event on Saturday and Sunday.

On the menu are:

Smoked BBQ spare ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and Texas Beef Brisquet.
Baked Beans
Brunswick Stew
Coleslaw
Potato salad

Catering supplied by Yowell's Barbeque, 813-918-1255. They are interested in doing more events, so if you're planning one, give em a call. They are a self-contained outfit with a huge smoker trailer that can setup on site and run themselves.

So, bring the family for some fun in the sun and some real good southern BBQ.

[turtle]

will be here soon...

[ErichF]

Yup, just around the corner, now. I can smell that BBQ already :thumbup:

[bb4532]

Becky and I are planning to be there. Looking forward to seeing everyone Saturday.

[fsusmithc2]

I was just re-reading this and marking my calendar and the posts about the BBQ are about to send me over the edge! I don't eat breakfast generally and I'm sooo hungry right now. Might have to go to Sonny's for lunch and just pretend there's helis buzzing in the background.

I hope to be able to come down for this one. Probably won't make it until Saturday though.

[ErichF]

Looks like the weather will be great for the weekend, with a bit of a cool down to the mid 60s on saturday.

There may be some showers rolling through Friday evening, so plan accordingly.

I'm starting to sweat bullets, now...getting close guys!


Erich

[ErichF]

Just got off the phone with a photo-journalist from the St Pete-Times newspaper. They will be covering the event on Friday for the Saturday or Sunday edition.

So if you come out on Friday, have a good hair day :smokin:

[xStatiCa]

Nice... I guess I will have to buy a paper for once then.

I was all psyched until I remembered my wife has things to do that can not be cancelled both Saturday and Sunday which leaves me with the younglings. I hope to come out at some point but probably no flying for me (10 month old and 2 year old) :(.

Does the Tampa Bay Heli Classic have an on-site day care? ;)

Turtle, what days are you going out there?

[ErichF]

Well, come out for lunch, at least, and get some great, on-site smoked, BBQ.

Yowell's is going to get out there early to setup his smoker, and should be ready to start serving around 10:30.

[turtle]

xStatiCa I'm thinking I might try to get out there late on Friday. And should be there all day on Sat and Sun. I'm looking foward to this weekend. Archie is bummed that I'm taking off again for another funfly but I think he'll get over it :)

[fsusmithc2]

Not a whole lot of posts on this event...I'm a bit surprised. Are we expecting a decent turnout to this? I'm still hanging on the edge of going. Probably won't make up my mind until tomorrow after work but that BBQ sure sounds like a good idea!

[ErichF]

Looks like it'll be a nice turnout...surely not in the ranks of Mulberry or Port Charlotte, but it's always a nice little gathering thats easy for the folks new to events to get their feet wet.

If ya don't come to fly, come for lunch! The BBQ is going to be awesome.

[fsusmithc2]

Hmmm... The weather is not looking very happy for this event, particularly today. That sucks for the funfly but even more for the contest. I'm still thinking about it though.

For the price of the hotels nearby, I could pretty much buy a tent and actually camp at the field. Get me a good sturdy tent and I should be all set. Even with state government discount, the cheapest rate at a hotel I found was $70 for the Sleep and Comfort inns. I need to save some money for Birmingham too!

[DesignDawg]

Sorry to post such a lame question, but are there bathrooms/porto-lets at the field? I ask because I would probably bring my 3-year old and her 3-year old bladder. She loves helis, but she loves water even more. ;)

Ricky

[turtle]

yes there are porto-lets at the field. no lame questions just lame people trying to answer them :)

[FlyingChef]

I was planning on heading out early to be there tommorow, but the weather looks like crap. Is the funfly still on for tommorow?? How was the flying today?

[ErichF]

The weather is crap Friday night, but the front will pass through around 3am. Saturday is looking clear to partly cloudy, with a good breeze blowing.

The contest guys are mostly here, and got quite a bit of flying in today, dealing with some pretty good winds.

Everything is still on, to including the BBQ caterer. We'll just have to deal with some wind.